Xantia 1.8 petrol, cooling system bleed points

Gingerposer · Post by **Gingerposer** » 25 Sep 2010, 15:19

Ok folks, I would like to ask if anyone has some helpful photos of the bleed points for the above engine, as I am struggling a bit with the Haynes manual.

Cheers

Ainslie

spider · Post by **spider** » 25 Sep 2010, 15:21

Until someone can 100% confirm (from memory! of the XU7 engine)

One on the heater hose near the bulkhead

One (brass 5 or 6mm hex headed) bolt on the thermostat housing

One on the radiator (not all models have this one)

Unlikely but one in the hose (plastic cap either screw headed or tyre valve type) from the thermostat housing to the expansion bottle (again, not all have this)

VertVega · Post by **VertVega** » 25 Sep 2010, 16:35

These pictures are from mine and 1.8i 16V has bleed points in same locations:

spider wrote:One on the heater hose near the bulkhead

spider wrote:One (brass 5 or 6mm hex headed) bolt on the thermostat housing

Gingerposer · Post by **Gingerposer** » 25 Sep 2010, 16:46

That's great guys, should simplify things for me. Much appreciated, thanks.

Ainslie

Gingerposer · Post by **Gingerposer** » 26 Sep 2010, 17:35

Well, I managed to change the oil and filter today but still can't find the bleed point near the bulkhead in your first picture,VV. The one on the thermostat was easy enough to find. Got water out of it straight away. What concerns me a wee bit is that nothing came out of the drain plug on the lower hose off the lower end of the rad - even with the plug fully removed. Unless I have got it confused with another plug that is

Ainslie

spider · Post by **spider** » 26 Sep 2010, 17:52

Did you take the expansion bottle cap off ? , that will allow it to drain more (as it will partly hold water in due to vacuum with the cap fitted)

The one on the heater hose is difficult to see ( well, its difficult to see on a 406, so Xantia will be the same

) , its where the hoses pass through the bulkhead, you may have to feel for it.

Gingerposer · Post by **Gingerposer** » 26 Sep 2010, 17:58

Ah. Schoolboy error regarding removing the expansion tank cap

Did have a feel at the top of the hoses going into what I believe is the heater matrix connection emerging from the bulkhead, couldn't feel anything like what the other bleed screws look like. I'll have another look after a cuppa, perhaps Tetley (other brands are available) will inspire me.

spider · Post by **spider** » 26 Sep 2010, 18:10

Tip: Open rad drain plug then take expansion bottle cap off (to avoid getting a free shower)

The heater hose: It's a tyre valve type cap from memory (it may be horizontal as the pic or vertical)

VertVega · Post by **VertVega** » 26 Sep 2010, 18:49

Gingerposer wrote:... still can't find the bleed point near the bulkhead in your first picture,VV. ...

I have found this picture from ebay, 1.8 16V Engine LFY XU7JP4
This picture is from a RHD like yours. You should see the plastic cap in the red circle

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Edit: and this is from a Xsara where bleed cap is designed vertically.

Gingerposer · Post by **Gingerposer** » 26 Sep 2010, 19:43

VertVega, many thanks for that last photo - it is indeed in that location, just knowing where to look made it so easy.

However, when I open that bleed screw, nothing comes out.
When I opened the bleed screw on the thermostat, a little air came out then water.
When I opened the bleed screw hopefully shown in the two attached pictures, nothing came out but by blowing in the top of the expansion tank I was able to hear air emerging somewhere.
The rad is definitely not leaking water anywhere, nor are any of the attached hoses.

I haven't yet sussed how to edit the pics to circle the screws I opened, but I did try both - I guess by the attached pipework that one is for the AC system.

Any more suggestions?

Last possibly daft question - it's not stated in the book of lies whether the engine should be running while bleeding the system, so I didn't run it. Was this right?

Cheers again,

Ainslie

VertVega · Post by **VertVega** » 26 Sep 2010, 20:25

Quick instructions for filling and bleeding cooling circuit.
You can make your own special tool "4520-T" from a 1,5 liters fizzy bottle and a O-ring

PS: In your above pictures those pipes belong to Air conditioning system and it is completely another closed circuit.
AC compressor, low and high pressure lines and their valves are seen.

spider · Post by **spider** » 26 Sep 2010, 20:26

The last two pictures show your aircon points. Do not attempt to do anything with these

, the plastic caps just protect the valves inside though. Refrigerant being ejected onto your bare skin is very very nasty.

Gingerposer · Post by **Gingerposer** » 26 Sep 2010, 22:43

Cheers gents, I'll cobble together the coolant filler thing tomorrow and get her sorted. At least I now know where the aircon points are!

Xantidote · Post by **Xantidote** » 27 Sep 2010, 15:54

On my TD, I use the special tool as VertVega suggests, but I always allow the cooling fans to cut in/out 3 times, to vent the air. Last time I did it 4 times, as there were still air bubbles coming out after 3 cycles

Gingerposer · Post by **Gingerposer** » 27 Sep 2010, 18:48

Did the job at lunchtime, what fun! Not the easiest access to the upper bleed point, managed to drop the bleed cap but luckily it landed on the ground under the car. The water emerging became free of bubbles quickly, but was a nasty shade of brown, so I guess I'll be looking at replacing the rad sooner rather than later

Or would it be worth just trying to flush the radiator for a while with the garden hose, then refill?

At least I now know the bleed procedure for next time.

Once again thanks for all the help, it's been invaluable.

Ainslie

French Car Forum

Xantia 1.8 petrol, cooling system bleed points

Xantia 1.8 petrol, cooling system bleed points

Some limited progress with the bleeding radiator!